



             THE NFBF OUTREACH

              Issue Number 6
              Winter, 1994-1995





2


              The NFBF OUTREACH is published by:
                     National Federation of the Blind of Florida
                     Wayne Davis, President         
                     1949 Marseille Drive Number 2 
                     Miami Beach, FL  33141         
                     (305)861-8425   Fax: (305)866-1862
              Please send changes of address, submissions, requests for 
         subscriptions, and all other OUTREACH-related correspondence to: 
                     Dan Hicks, Editor
                     4608 West Longfellow Avenue
                     Tampa, FL  33629
                     (813)837-4831   Fax: (813)837-1096

         ___________________________________________________________________ 
         TABLE OF CONTENTS                                                   
         FROM THE PRESIDENT              Wayne Davis            Page  3
         OUTREACH MICROS                                        Page  6 
         CONVENTIONS 1994                Dan Hicks              Page  8
         J O B NEWS                      Gloria Mills           Page 15 
         THE CONVENTION WAS LIKE 
         A FAMILY REUNION                Walter Klavans         Page 16 
         TRANSPORTATION DISADVANTAGED 
         SEMINAR                         Marilyn Baldwin        Page 18 
         DEAF-BLIND COMMITTEE NEWS       Joseph Naulty          Page 19 
         FACILITATORWHO, ME?           Walter Klavans         Page 20 
         CHAPTER NEWS                                           Page 22 
         ASSOCIATES UPDATE               Janet Caron            Page 28 
         IN HARNESS                      Marion Gwizdala        Page 29  
         ALTERNATIVE TECHNIQUES                                 Page 32 
         OUT OF CONTEXT                                         Page 33 
         SMILES                                                 Page 35 
         EDITORIAL MATTERS               Dan Hicks              Page 37 
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         ___________________________________________________________________ 

         FROM THE PRESIDENT                                 Wayne Davis 
         ___________________________________________________________________ 

              As State President of the National Federation of the Blind of 
         Florida, I talk to many blind people who are facing all sorts of 
         problems.  Therefore, I would be the last person to say that we, 
         as a movement, do not still have many challenges to face, and a 
         great deal of work to do.  I can tell by the nature of the 
         problems facing many blind men and women today that we as blind 
         people have made a great deal of progress over the last fifty 
         years.  This is true, because of the work of the National 
         Federation of the Blind.  Many of the early leaders in the NFB who 
         fought so very hard to bring positive changes for blind people,  
         are no longer with us.  It is our duty, as the leaders and members 
         of the National Federation of the Blind, to carry the torch of 
         positive change forward. 
              There was a time, and not so very long ago, that there was 
         almost no employment for the blind.  Not until the end of World 
         War II was this nation willing to address the economic problem of 
         blindness.  What happened to blind people before that time?  For 
         the most part, they were kept at home or placed in custodial 
         institutions.  As for blind people working, other then a few blind 
         people who sold pencils or newspapers on the streets, most blind 
         people just did not work.  
              Because of actions taken by the NFB over the past fifty 
         years, today you can find blind people successfully preforming all 
         sorts of jobs all across the nation.  Blind people no longer have 
         to sit at home and just dream of getting an education or going to 
         work.  They are out there in all types of employment.  As for 
         education, because of the efforts of the National Federation of 
         the Blind, twenty-five states have passed laws that guarantee the 
         right of blind children to be taught braille, and to have braille 
         textbooks.  We have good reason to believe that in the very near 
         future, we will have a braille bill passed by the United States 
         Congress that will provide for those same rights to every blind 
         boy and girl in the nation. 
4
              Blind people now have computers that can talk and read 
         what is on the screen, so that the blind can use a computer just 
         as well as a sighted person.  As computer technology  advances, 
         there are programmers working to keep the screen readers for the 
         blind up to date with current software.   
              There are scanners that can read printed text and braille 
         embossers that can take the text from the scanner and, using a  
         computer, turn it into braille.  Refreshable braille devices for 
         the blind are making it possible for blind people to do all sorts 
         of jobs that were once difficult or impossible without sight. 
              The Randolph Shepherd Act, the Rehabilitation Act, and the 
         Americans with a Disability Act are all important pieces of 
         legislation passed by the United States Congress to improve the 
         quality of life for the blind and other people with disabilities.  
         The National Federation of the Blind has played a vital part in 
         giving these laws the form they have today. 
              So often you hear people talking about the good old days. 
         I am convinced that, as far as blindness is concerned, these are 
         the good old days.  If we all continue to work for positive change 
         in the field of blindness, I promise you that tomorrow will be 
         even better. 
              I want to thank everyone who worked so hard to make our 1994 
         NFBF State Convention one of the best ever.  It would take far to 
         much space if I listed each of your names, and all the things that 
         you did, but I know who you are, and I am very grateful for all of 
         your hard work.  I do want to mention Gloria Mills and the Tampa 
         Bay Chapter for hosting this year's state convention.  You all did 
         a great job.  Thank you to Dennis Martin for his help with the 
         braille menus.  I also want to thank Whitt Springfield, the 
         Director of the Division of Blind Services, for speaking at our 
         convention.  Whitt has a broken ankle due to a motorcycle 
         accident, but he didn't let it keep him from coming to Tampa for 
         our convention.  Thanks also to Mr. Don Weber,  Director of the 
         Talking Book Library here in Florida, and to Mr. Doug Hall, who 
         works with Don.  Thanks to you for sending out the thousands 
         of invitations for this year's convention.  I want to 
         also thank  Ms. Jo Anne Hutchenson, Florida's first lady of 
         transportation.  Jo Anne not only spoke to the convention on 
5
         Saturday, September 23rd, she was also there on Friday, the 22nd, 
         to take part in our Transportation Seminar.  Jo Ann, as State 
         President, I am inviting you back next year to do it all again.  
         Pam Goodrich, my thanks go out to you for your great presentation 
         on laughter.  You taught us the value of a smile, and we can take 
         that with us any where we may go.  Barbara Pierce, I can tell you 
         that you have very many friends in the State of Florida.  Thanks 
         for a job well done.  Tell President Maurer to send you back down 
         to see us again, soon.  So many people have told me how much they 
         enjoyed your banquet speech.  Thanks to all of the people who 
         exhibited their products at this year's convention, and thanks too 
         to Sensory Safari for sharing all their animals with us. 
              Our best wishes go out to Ms. Virginia Fisher.  Ms. Fisher 
         fell and broke her hip at this year's convention.  When I talked to 
         her from her hospital room, she assured me that she will be back 
         next year.  Ms. Fisher is a valued member of the Polk Chapter. 
         Although she is in her eighties, she is young at heart.  Ms. 
         Fisher, you will be remembered in all of our prayers. Hurry up and 
         get well. 
               Our 1994 NFBF convention was great, but it is now time to 
         look toward the coming year.  At the beginning of next February, 
         we have our Washington Seminar.  I am looking at the possibility 
         of having another Leadership Camp in the Spring.  We all need to 
         start thinking about the 1995 National Convention in Chicago, and 
         making arrangements to be there.  We are also planning to start a 
         new chapter or two this coming year, and then there is the 
         question of what will happen to the Division of Blind Services.  
         Will it stay under the Department of Education, or will it become 
         a separate state agency?  There will also be many legislative 
         issues to be addressed during the next twelve months.  All of 
         these things are in addition to the work we all do to help blind 
         people solve their individual problems, such as problems with DBS 
         and other state agencies, problems with employment, and in many 
         other areas of life.  We are already looking toward our 1995 NFBF 
         State Convention.  The State Board and I will select the city for 
         our next state convention within the next few weeks. There is 
         so much to be done, but together we can make it happen.  I look 
         forward to working with all of you over the coming year! 
6
         ___________________________________________________________________ 

          OUTREACH MICROS 
         ___________________________________________________________________ 

         JOE NAULTY NAMED NATIONAL DEAF-BLIND COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN
              Less than a year after being named chairman of Florida's 
         newly formed Deaf-Blind Committee, Joseph Naulty, President of the 
         Broward Chapter, has been called by NFB President Mark Maurer, to 
         preside over the National Deaf-Blind Committee.  It is the purpose 
         of the Deaf-Blind Committee to help secure all of the benefits and 
         opportunities that being a part of society has to offer, for those 
         persons with dual-sensory impairments.  The committee publishes a 
         newsletter in braille and meets every year at the National Convention.        
              Please send inquiries and information to: 
                    Joseph B. Naulty 
                    1800 NE 43rd Court 
                    Oakland Park, FL  33308 
                    (305)772-1825 


         NATIONAL BRAILLE PRESS HAS CD-ROM BOOK
              The National Braille Press is offering a book on CD-ROM 
         technology called The CD-ROM Advantage.  The book is said to 
         answer the most commonly asked questions about CD-ROM technology 
         and how it works with speech and braille.  The book is loaded with 
         advice from blind CD-ROM users who talk about the advantages and 
         the pitfalls of this exciting new technology.  The book lists 100 
         CD-ROM titles that work with speech and braille, as well as 
         resource information.
              The book is available for $11.95 in braille, diskette, or 
         print (add $3.50 for postage when ordering the print edition) 
         from:      National Braille Press 
                    88 St. Stephen Street
                    Boston, MA 02115
                    Phone: (617)266-6160   Fax: (617)437-0456 

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         TECHNOLOGY OUTLOOK ANNOUNCED 
              A new quarterly catalog named Technology Outlook, which will 
         specialize in computer-related devices for the visually impaired, 
         is scheduled to be available starting January, 1995.  The catalog 
         is said to offer the blind consumer a one-stop shopping mall for 
         new technology within the comfort of his or her own home. 
              Technology Outlook will also provide vendors of high-tech 
         equipment a forum to advertise their products.  Materials offered 
         for sale will include Optical Character Recognition Scanners, 
         speech output devices, screen readers, and software geared for the 
         visually impaired user, as well as many other devices that will 
         enhance the capabilities of the visually impaired computer user. 
              The catalog will be distributed on audio cassette tape or IBM 
         3.5 inch or 5.25 inch computer disk.   A file reader program will 
         be furnished on the disk to allow the user to access the files. 
              There is a $10.00 annual fee for the catalog, though this 
         amount is credited to your first order of $50.00 or more.  To 
         subscribe or for more information contact: 
                    Technology Outlook 
                    1349 Golf Drive 
                    Fort Myers, FL 33919 
                    (813) 482-1912  
             The company also invites software and hardware developers 
         to contact them so that Technology Outlook can show off their 
         newest equipment and software. 


         TWO FEDERATIONISTS JUMP OUT OF AIRPLANES 
              On June 1, 1994, October Lowe and Joe Naulty, both of the 
         Broward Chapter, took their first parachute jump.  Both of them 
         landed safely.  As to why they did this, well, Joe says, "I am 
         doing this because I am a deaf-blind person.   I am State Chairman 
         of the Deaf-Blind Committee of the National Federation of the 
         Blind of Florida, and I want the public to see us as individuals.  
         I am just like any one else.  I have a lovely wife, nice sons, a 
         beautiful home, and even a mortgage."
              For all of the exhilarating details, see "Jump" by Wayne 
         Davis in the October 1994 issue of the Braille Monitor.    
8
         ___________________________________________________________________ 
                                       
         CONVENTIONS 1994                                  Dan Hicks 
         ___________________________________________________________________ 
    
              Some Floridians were fortunate enough to attend two exciting 
         events in the last half of this year; of course, I'm referring to 
         the National and Florida Conventions of the National Federation of 
         the Blind. 
              The National Convention was held July 1 through 9 in Detroit, 
         Michigan.  I won't take the time to go into all of the terrific 
         details.  Instead, let me refer you to Barbara Pierce's excellent 
         article "Convention Roundup" in the August-September, 1994 Braille 
         Monitor.  Let me just say that Florida was well represented, with 
         eighty-two persons registered.  We ranked number seven in 
         attendance until Monday, when a bunch of Texans came in and 
         registered, and then we dropped back to eighth place.  (The nerve 
         of some affiliates.  If you know any Texans, be sure to remind 
         them that, if Alaska were cut in half, Texas would be the third 
         largest state!  Second thought, we'll be going back there in a few 
         years...).  The slogan of the Detroit convention was "The Roar of 
         'Ninety-Four!", and a fitting one it was.  If you missed it, or even 
         if you didn't, now is the time to make plans to be in Chicago in 1995!     
              The Roar of 94Florida version.  The National Federation of 
         the Blind of Florida held our annual State Convention, September 
         23, 24, and 25, 1994, at the Holiday Inn Tampa International 
         Airport, in Tampa.  We were honored to have as our National 
         Representative Barbara Pierce.  Barbara is editor of the Braille 
         Monitor and is Chairperson of the NFB Public Relations Committee. 
              Convention registration began Friday morning promptly at 
         10:00 A.M., and was managed by State Treasurer Theresa Schaffer.  
         State Seminars and workshops started earlier than at any of our  
         previous state conventionsat 12 Noonand were well attended, in 
         spite of the fact that there were usually two meetings occuring at 
         the same time, sometimes requiring the making of difficult choices.                         
              From Noon until 1:30, the Deaf-Blind Committee, chaired by 
         Joe Naulty, met and discussed issues relating to people who have 
         experienced loss of sight and hearing.  The program featured 
9
         speakers from the Helen Keller Institute and other organizations.  
         (See page 19) 
              The NFB is constantly growing, so there are always people at 
         our conventions who have not attended such an activity before.   
         Some of these people feel at a loss, as others of uswho have 
         been attending for yearstalk about associates and affiliates and 
         toss around acronyms like PAC and SUN.  So, for the first time, we 
         held "NFB 101", an introductory seminar about the NFB, NFBF, and 
         what could be expected throughout the convention.  I hosted this 
         first endeavor, and was happy to have Barbara Pierce take part in 
         the latter half of the seminar.  There was a lot of lively and 
         interesting discussion, and the 90 minutes of time which had been 
         allocated ran out very quickly.  I think that "NFB 101" will 
         probably become an NFBF tradition.   
              The time period between 1:45 and 3:15 was filled by two 
         workshops entitled "Parents of Blind Children Seminar", 
         facilitated by Carol Rehfelt, and "Senior Concerns Seminar", lead 
         by Walter Klavans.  
              Carol is a board member in the Tampa Chapter and the mother 
         of a visually impaired daughter, Connie Reagan.  She and other 
         parents and educators were able to share experiences and ideas. 
              Walter, who is Vice President of the Citrus Chapter, had been 
         called on to pinch-hit for Beatrice Gladden, who could not attend 
         because of illness.  Speakers included a representative of the 
         American Association of Retired Persons. (See page 20). 
              From 3:30 until 5:00 PM, convention goers had a choice of 
         attending the "Transportation Workshop", facilitated by 
         Transportation Commissioner Marilyn Baldwin, or the Guide Dog 
         Committee Meeting, chaired by Guide Dog User's Committee Chairman 
         Marion Gwizdala.  (See Marilyn's article on page 18 and Marion's 
         column on page 29.)  Both of these seminars were held in large 
         meeting rooms.  Nevertheless, both rooms were packed. 
              Hospitality began Friday evening at 6:30 PM and featured 
         finger foods, a punch fountain, and a cash bar. President Wayne 
         Davis introduced National Representative Barbara Pierce, the state 
         officers and board members, and chapter presidents.  
              The Exhibit Hall was open all day Friday and between the 
         general sessions on Saturday.  It was a great opportunity for 
10
         members to see the latest in adaptive technology and to pick up 
         NFB literature.  
              The first general session on Saturday morning featured a 
         welcome to the city by Tampa City Council Member Scott Paine, who 
         read a Proclamation, signed by the mayor, naming October, 1994 as 
         National Federation of the Blind Month in Tampa.  Barbara Pierce 
         gave us a comprehensive report on the national scene.  The 
         featured speaker that morning was Recreational Therapist Pamela 
         Goodrich, whose presentaton, "Making Sense of Humor", caused the 
         audience to participate, laugh, and think.  Jo Anne Hutchinson, 
         Executive Director of Florida's Transportation Disadvantaged 
         Commission, updated us on transportation issues. 
              At Noon on Saturday Safari Clubs International presented 
         Sensory Safari, to show off (previous living) wild animals, which 
         were mounted for display and available for touching and feeling.  
              Running at about the same time was a pizza luncheon presented 
         for all blind studentsmiddle school through college.  Carol 
         Rehfelt served as facilitator again for her "Individualized 
         Education Plan Workshop", where she worked with parents and 
         teachers on the ins and outs of putting together an IEP that will 
         do the most for the individual student.  And David Evans hosted 
         his annual "Grant Writing Seminar", which was well organized and 
         well attended. 
              The Afternoon General Session was called to order by Wayne 
         Davis at about two, and featured Janet Caron's Associates Report, 
         Jeff Harmon's PAC Report and newly appointed Diabetic Committee 
         Chairperson Terri Gayton's Diabetic Report.  Gloria Mills gave her 
         JOB Update, which was followed by Joe Naulty's report on the Deaf- 
         Blind Committee, Marilyn Baldwin's Transportation Report, and the 
         Guide Dog Committee Report by Marion Gwizdala. 
              Don Weber, Director of  Florida Bureau of Braille and Talking 
         Book Library Services spoke and answered questions.  The report 
         from the Florida Division of Blind Services was delivered by Whitt 
         Springfield, DBS Director, who also told the story of his recent 
         motorcycle accident that had caused him to attend the convention 
         with a cast on one foot.  The first of two Resolutions which had 
         been recommended by the Nominating Committee the night before was 
         read and approved by the convention.  (See the end of this article 
11
         for the text of both resolutions.)  Following that, the Social 
         Security Update was given by Henry Alexander. 
              The evening's Banquet was hosted by Gloria Mills.  After 
         those seated at the head tables were introduced, Wayne Davis 
         delivered the address, "Challenges".  The Keynote Address was 
         presented by Barbara Pierce, NFB National Representative.  The two 
         NFBF Scholarships were awarded to Ron Burns and Scott Truman.  The 
         Tampa Bay Chapter won the "Who's Cookin'" Award.  TD Commissioner 
         Marilyn Baldwin presented a plaque to Jo Anne Hutchinson.  Connie 
         Reagan was given a special thank you gift for all of her help in 
         giving out door prizes.  
              Following the Banquet, Carl Miller took his place at the 
         front of the room as auctioneer for the annual NFBF Auction, which 
         raised over $500.00.  And Ted Henter's traditional late-night 
         party overflowed two suites!  
              The Sunday morning session began at 8:30.  Theresa Schaffer 
         gave the Treasurer's Report.  Gloria Mills gave the report of the 
         Nominating Committee, which had met earlier that morning.  
         Elections were held.   David Evans was re-elected to his board 
         position.  Greater Orlando Chapter President Marilyn Baldwin was 
         elected to the board position vacated by Ken Rollman, who had 
         moved to South Dakota.  This is not the first time Marilyn has 
         served on the State Board; a few years ago she held the office of 
         State Secretary.  We will look forward to working with her again. 
              All fifteen chapter presidents, who were in attendance, gave 
         positive and hopeful Chapter Reports; the only chapters not 
         represented at the convention were Jacksonville, Tallahassee, and 
         the Merchants, and we missed them all.  
              Other committee reports were presented.  The second of two 
         Resolutions was passed by the convention.  
              Barbara Pierce presented her final remarks.  President Wayne 
         Davis wished everybody well for another year, and the session was 
         adjourned. 
              Even though the sessions were officially over, there was 
         still plenty to do for those who stayed.  The State Board Meeting 
         which followed was open to all observers, and was followed by a 
         meeting of all chapter presidents and vice presidents.  Those not 
         attending the meeting could take part in the Hands-On Technology 
12
         Seminar sponsored by Henter-Joyce.  (Ted Henter could not be there 
         he was at the Chapter Presidents Meeting.) 
              State and National NFB conventions are motivating and 
         learning experiences; they are a lot of work for those who put 
         them on and make sure everything runs smoothly.  But they are a 
         great deal of fun, too.  NFB conventions are a tremendous 
         opportunity to spend time with good friends and to make new ones.  
         They are a great place to go to eat and drink and talk and laugh, 
         as you take part in a most constructive force in the lives of 
         blind people. 
               1994 NFBF Resolutions.  The following Resolutions were 
         passed Saturday and Sunday by the 1994 NFB of Florida Convention: 
            
                                RESOLUTION 94-01 

         WHEREAS it is estimated that there are more than 250,000 blind 
              citizens in the State of Florida; and 

         WHEREAS the Florida Department of Education, Division of Blind 
              Services is a specialized agency whose staff are specialists 
              in work with the blind; and 

         WHEREAS one of the goals of the Division of Blind Services is 
              to assist blind Floridians in obtaining and maintaining 
              gainful, meaningful vocational outcomes, to compete on 
              terms of full equality with their sighted peers; and 
         
         WHEREAS the goal of the Division is not limited to obtaining a 
              vocational outcome, but also includes working with infants 
              and parents, school age children, and the elderly; and 

         WHEREAS the Florida House of Representatives has ordered the 
              Auditor General to conduct a performance audit of the 
              Division of Blind Services; and 
         
         WHEREAS the Florida Senate has created a study group to make 
              recommendations regarding the reassignment of the Division 
              of Blind Services, including: 
13
              1. Maintaining the current structure and organization 
                 of services for the blind in the Department of Education, 
                 Division of Blind Services; 
              2. The creation of an independent Commission 
                 for the Blind; 
              3. The reassignment of the Bureau of Braille and Talking 
                 Book Library Services to the Department of State, Division 
                 of Information and Library Services:  Now, therefore,  

         BE IT RESOLVED by the National Federation of the Blind of Florida, 
              in convention assembled this 24th day of September, 1994, in 
              the city of Tampa, Florida, on behalf of blind citizens of the 
              State of Florida, that this organization is unequivocally 
              opposed to the reassignment of the Division of Blind Services 
              to any other Department of the State; and 

         BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this organization, on behalf of blind 
              citizens of the State of Florida, recommend that a separate 
              Commission be established to provide specialized services to 
              all blind citizens of this state, regardless of age or 
              vocational interests or intent; and 

         BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this organization oppose the 
              reassignment of the Bureau of Braille and Talking Book Library 
              Services to any other Department other than that Department, 
              Division, or Commission responsible fo the delivery of 
              services to the blind. 


                                RESOLUTION 94-02 

         WHEREAS the United States Navy is decommissioning the aircraft 
              carrier USS Saratoga (CV 60) and, in conjunction with this 
              decommissioning, invited the general public to tour the 
              ship as it was drydocked in Jacksonville, Florida; and 

         WHEREAS, in July, 1994, several members of the National Federation 
              of the Blind were denied the opportunity to tour the Saratoga 
14
              solely on the basis of their blindness; and 

         WHEREAS the Department of the Navy has attempted to justify this 
              exclusion, first on the premise that the blind would slow 
              down the touring and then on the grounds of safety; and 

         WHEREAS it has never been shown that the average blind person 
              tours any more slowly or conducts himself or herself any more 
              unsafely than the average sighted person; and 
         
         WHEREAS the National Federation of the Blind has, among its 
              membership, hundreds of men and women who have sailed on 
              boats and ships of every description, including those who 
              have served in America's Armed Forces prior to losing their 
              sight; and 

         WHEREAS the denial of the rights of blind persons to tour the USS 
              Saratoga constitutes blatant and unfair discrimination on the 
              part of the Department of the Navy as well as a lack of 
              knowledge of the characteristics and abilities of blind 
              people:  Now, therefore,  

         BE IT RESOLVED by the National Federation of the Blind of Florida, 
              in Convention assembled this 25th day of September, 1994, in 
              the city of Tampa, Florida, that this organization condemns 
              and deplores this blatant and unfair discrimination as 
              practiced by the Commanding Officer of the USS Saratoga and 
              the Department of the Navy; and 

         BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this organization urge the Department 
              of Defense and the Department of the Navy carefully reexamine 
              their policies regarding the treatment of blind persons 
              attending activities and touring facilities to which the 
              general public is invited, to allow the blind to participate 
              on the basis of equality with their sighted peers on all 
              levels of public interaction; and 

         BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we invite the Department of Defense 
15
              and the Department of the Navy to work with the National 
              Federation of the Blind on a National level, and that the  
              Department of Defense and the Department of the Navy consider 
              the National Federation of the Blind, the nation's largest 
              and most representative organization of the blind, as 
              their prime source of information about blindness and of the  
              responsibilities and capabilities of blind people; and 
         
         BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we urge the Executive, Legislative, 
              and Judicial branches of the United States Government to 
              oversee the process of the modernization of the policies 
              and practices of the Department of Defense and the Department 
              of the Navy with regard to the blind, should this become 
              necessary. 

         ___________________________________________________________________ 
        
         J O B NEWS                                        Gloria Mills 
         ___________________________________________________________________ 

         Gloria Mills is JOB Chairperson for the Florida Affiliate. 
    
         Attention all Chapter Presidents: 
              Please appoint someone in your chapter to be JOB coordinator 
         for persons in your area who are interested in employment 
         opportunities.  This persons's duties will be two-fold:  he or she 
         will try to help the blind people in your area network to provide 
         employment information; he or she will also find prospective 
         employers who are willing to employ blind people.  
              For example, someone who has particular job skills, such as a 
         degree in social work, might be able to find out about a job 
         opening in this field in another Florida area.  This will only 
         require a small amount of time from each coordinator and will help 
         blind people who are looking for work.  
              Remember to register and to invite others to register with 
         national JOB by calling 1-800-638-7518.  My telephone number is 
         (813) 837-4831.  Or send inquiries or information in care of the 
         OUTREACH editor. 
16
         __________________________________________________________________ 

         THE CONVENTION WAS LIKE A FAMILY REUNION!        Walter Klavans 
         __________________________________________________________________ 

         The following appeared in The Visitor, October 9, 1994 

              The 24th annual convention of the National Federation of the 
         Blind of Florida is now history.  I attended the convention and it 
         was like a huge family reunion.  I marvel at the accomplishments 
         of some of the people I met who are outstanding in their fields of 
         endeavor, and to whom visual impairment has not been a deterrent.  
              We tackle all issues pertaining to the visually impaired, and 
         happily, as the sighted public becomes educated to "blind 
         awareness", the realization grows that the loss of sight does not 
         adversely affect one's mind or creative ability.  Our conventions 
         promote and emphasize a positive attitude; the Federation and 
         the states have made great strides in initiating equal educational 
         and employment opportunities for the visually impaired.  (Y'see I 
         did learn something at the convention.)
              There were seminars for parents of blind children; the proper 
         use and care of the guide dogs; Braille; coping with visual 
         impairment as a senior citizen; diabetes and visual impairment; 
         and our latest stride forward, the establishment of a deaf/blind 
         committee to work with and do research for those who are doubly 
         handicapped.  We are proud that a fellow Floridian, Joseph Naulty, 
         has been named national chairman of the Deaf-Blind Committee.  
              Some of the outstanding people that I met are: Ted Henter, 
         who created the voice synthesizer for the computer; Dan Hicks, the 
         editor of our magazine, OUTREACH (in large print or cassette); 
         Wayne Davis, the President of NFBF, who conducts a meeting in an 
         easy, relaxed manner, yet maintains complete control and moves the 
         general sessions along in a smooth and orderly fashion.  
              I am visibly impressed by Ms. Janet Caron whose unwavering 
         determination to bring Florida to the top in the Associates 
         program is incredible.  (Ms. Caron is Florida Chairperson of the 
         Associates program, and her dedication and leadership have 
         elevated Florida in the national rankings from forty-six to seven,
17
         and she did this in only three years.)  The Associates  program 
         is one in which we seek to enroll our sighted peers as 
         associate members of the federation, and the monies raised are 
         allocated to such worthy purposes as our annual scholarship 
         awards.  The federation awards 26 scholarships annually to 
         visually impaired applicants, regardless of age, sex, race, creed 
         or color.  
              The representative to our convention from national, Ms. 
         Barbara Pierce, is a lady with charm, charisma, personality and 
         eloquence.  When she addressed the convention at our banquet, she 
         held the audience spellbound.  She is also editor of our magazine, 
         the Braille Monitor.  Is it any wonder I'm impressed?  These 
         people are all blind! 
              Finally, kudos to Ms. Gloria Mills.  She organized the 
         convention, and it functioned like a well-oiled machine.  
         Remember, the National Federation of the Blind is not an 
         organization representing the blind; it is the blind representing 
         themselves.   
                

           ͻ
                                                                      
             If you or a friend would like to remember the National   
             Federation of the Blind of Florida in your will, you     
             can do so by employing the following language:            
                                                                      
               "I give, divise, and bequeath unto:                    
                   National Federation of the Blind of Florida        
                   1949 Marseille Drive Number 2                      
                   Miami Beach, Florida  33141                        
                a Florida nonprofit corporation, the sum of $___      
                [or "__ per cent of my estate", or "the following     
                stocks and bonds"] to be used for its worthy          
                purposes on behalf of blind persons."                 
                                                                      
           ͼ


18
         ___________________________________________________________________ 
         
         TRANSPORTATION DISADVANTAGED SEMINAR            Marilyn Baldwin 
         ___________________________________________________________________ 
         
         Marilyn Baldwin is NFBF Transportation Chairperson and a 
         Transportation Disadvantaged Commissioner for the State of Florida 

              On September 24, 1994, the National Federation of the Blind 
         of Florida held a Transportation Disadvantaged Seminar, as part of 
         our State Convention in Tampa.  The session was very well attended 
         by members of our affiliate.  Jo Ann Hutchinson, Executive 
         Director of the State of Florida Commission for the Transportation 
         Disadvantaged, gave an overview of our TD program and answered 
         many questions.  She encouraged people to become active on local 
         boards and to call the Commission Ombudsman Hotline, 1-800-983-
         2435, if they need information about available transportation 
         resources or need assistance in resolving transportation barriers.
              Commissioner Sidney Moss gave a presentation on her role as 
         the Hillsborough Community Transportation Coordinator and 
         explained how the program works in the Tampa area.  Ms. Diana 
         Carsey, Director of Planning for HARTLine, gave an excellent 
         presentation about ADA and the Transit Authority.  I facilitated 
         the seminar and spoke about the Local Coordinating Board.  
              Mrs. Hutchinson was with us for most of the convention and 
         took notes when Federationists came to her with questions or 
         comments.  During the Banquet she was presented with a plaque from 
         our organization in recognition of the work that the Commission 
         has done on behalf of the blind and their work during the 1994 
         legislative session.  
              Jo Ann says that, "It is a joy to come to work each morning."  
         She is truly a dedicated individual who truly cares about people who 
         are Transportation Disadvantaged.  
               




19
         ___________________________________________________________________ 
        
         DEAF-BLIND COMMITTEE NEWS                          Joseph Naulty  
         ___________________________________________________________________ 

         Joe Naulty is Chairperson of both the Florida and the National 
         Deaf-Blnd Committees. 
         ___________________________________________________________________ 

              Last year, at the state convention, State President Wayne 
         Davis appointed me, Joseph B. Naulty, Chairperson of the Deaf-
         Blind Committee.  In the early months of 1994, I attempted to 
         obtain names and addresses of deaf and blind individuals from 
         state and local agencies, only to be told that, under the Privacy 
         Act, I could not.  
              So, in April, I sent out, through the Talking Book Library, a 
         letter that has reached 35,000 people in the State of Florida.  In 
         the months that followed, this letter generated over 800 responses 
         from people interested in deaf-blind issues.  Now we are 
         privileged to have a column in the OUTREACH.
              Early in July, I attended the National Convention in Detroit, 
         Michigan.  Of particular interest was the Deaf-Blind Seminar on 
         Assistive Devices.  
              On September 23, at the State Convention in Tampa, we 
         conducted the NFB of Florida's first Deaf-Blind Seminar.  Among 
         our guest speakers was Ms. Susan Brooks, from the Southeast 
         Regional Office of the Helen Keller Center, in Atlanta, Georgia.  
         Attendance was small, but it was a beginning.  
              On October 10, I visited with our National President Mark 
         Maurer in Baltimore, and had the privilege of discussing deaf- 
         blind issues with him.  I spent October 14 at the Helen Keller 
         Center in Sands Point, New York.  Representatives had gathered 
         from around the United States, Canada, and England.  The 
         representative from London spoke on Usher's dual-sensory 
         impairments.   
              On October 21, I attended a meeting in Gainesville, Florida,        
         of professionals from various agencies in the state.  They voted 
         to rename their organization the Florida Coalition for the Deaf-
20
         Blind.  We also voted to meet four times a year, instead of only 
         two.  Our next meeting is scheduled for January, 1995, in 
         Tallahassee.  We will be meeting with a legislative committee to 
         create awareness of the needs of the deaf-blind.
              Please be sure every Florida NFB Chapter has appointed a 
         Deaf-Blind Commitee Representative.  Those who wish to work on 
         statewide projects may contact me at:
                        1800 NE 43rd Court
                        Oakland Park, FL  33308
                        (305)772-1825
              Best wishes for a happy Holiday season. 

         __________________________________________________________________ 

          FACILITATORWHO, ME?                         Walter Klavans 
         __________________________________________________________________ 

         Walter Klavans is President of the Citrus Chapter. 

              It all began innocently enough.  The phone rang late one 
         evening a couple of days before the Tampa convention.  When I 
         answered it, a soft feminine voice caressed my ear as follows: 
              "Hello, Walter.  This is Gloria Mills.  Bea Gladden will be 
         unable to attend the convention.  Would you substitute for her as 
         facilitator of the Seminar on Senior Concerns?"
              How could I refuse such a persuasive request?  
              "Sure," I responded.  "Uh, what's a facilitator?"
              "Same as a moderator," she replied.  "You just sit there, 
         introduce the members of the panel, hold their talks to fifteen 
         minutes, ask for questions from the audience, and then close the 
         meeting." 
              "Great!" I enthused.  "Sounds like a cinch.  See you Friday."
              I proudly informed a close friend on Florida's east coast of 
         my impending shove into the limelight, and she said, "That's 
         great.  What time and in what room is your seminar?"
              "Gee, I don't know," I answered weakly.  "I didn't ask."
              "Don't you think you should find out?" she chided.  "It might 
         help you a lot to know where you should be and when you should be 
21
         there."
              I didand it did!  As I strode purposefully into the hotel 
         Friday afternoon, I heard Gloria's dulcet voice over the 
         microphone, saying, "Walter Klavans, Walter Klavans!  Is Walter 
         Klavans here?" 
              I scooted into the Timberwood Room and announced, "Here I am.  
         How do we start this thing?"
              "I'll introduce you and the panel." she said.  "You are the 
         first speaker.  Then you call upon each of the other panelists.  
         After all of you have spoken, you call for questions."
              "Me first?" I squeaked.  "What do I talk about?"
              "Anything," she said.  "Talk about yourself and your 
         activities.  Talk about how loss of vision is not a hindrance."
              I heaved a huge sigh of relief.  After all, talking about 
         myself is talking about a topic I'm quite familiar with.  
              The seminar began and Gloria introduced the four of us on the 
         panel.  I opened with my talk.  I thought I had talked for about 
         half an hour, but, as I called upon the next speaker, I checked my 
         watch and discovered I had spoken for ten whole minutes.  
              The other three panelists were excellent, knowledgeable, and 
         well-versed on their topics.  The first was John A. Brugger, from 
         the American Association of Retired Persons.  Next was Maureen 
         Kelly, from the Council on Aging.  She was followed by Henry 
         Alexander, from the Social Security Administration, an NFB member.
              I became so enthralled in listening to them that I forgot to 
         time their talks.  Fortunately, for me anyhow, Gloria had advised 
         them all of the time allocated to each of them.  
              We concluded with a spirited question and answer period.  The 
         speakers were able to answer the questions.  
              I was congratulated for conducting such a good seminar, and I 
         don't deny that I liked the compliments, but...well, I really 
         don't deserve them.   I sat there like a hood ornament and called 
         three very well-informed people to address an interested audience.  
         Whoever selected those speakers deserves the credit; the choices 
         were excellent.  If I could be guaranteed panelists of that 
         caliber, I'd volunteer to serve as facilitator any time.  Thank 
         you, Gloria Mills.  
22
         ___________________________________________________________________ 

         CHAPTER NEWS
         ___________________________________________________________________ 

         From Gloria Mills, President of the Tampa Bay Chapter...
              On June 18, we had our second annual free car wash.  We made 
         about a thousand dollars, not counting our expenses.  We were able 
         to help send ten members to the National Convention in Detroit.  
              We spent the rest of July, August and September preparing for 
         and planning our State Convention, as we were the host chapter.  I 
         especially want to thank John and Carol Rehfelt for providing 
         rides to and from the Greyhound bus station and Sherrill O'Brien 
         for inviting speakers and her minister to give the invocation that 
         started the first general session.  Carol hosted two of the workshops,
         and our Vice President Marion Gwizdala and Dan Hicks each hosted one.  
         Just about all of our members arranged for or donated door prizes, 
         and we thank them all.    
              I am proud and happy to announce that we WON the 1994 "Who's 
         Cooking Award" for the "Hottest Chapter of the Year".  
              At our November elections, the officers did not change, but 
         our board members are:  John Christenson, Dan Hicks, and Carol 
         Rehfelt. 
              We are now making plans for our annual Christmas party and 
         the Celebration of Louis Braille Week in January, which will 
         feature a display of braille books at Barnes and Noble, one of our 
         area's largest bookstores.  As part of this event, our Chapter 
         Secretary Sherrill O'Brien will read braille books to the children 
         who come for story time.   


         From Marilyn Baldwin, President of the Greater Orlando Chapter...
              The Greater Orlando Chapter worked very hard on the dollar 
         increase for the Transportation Disadvantaged program during the 
         1994 Legislative Session.  In January, 1994, we attended the 
         Abilities Expo held in Orlando and learned about new technology. We 
         wrote letters to Congress about additional funding for the Talking 
         Book Program.  
23
              Sherri Hicks, a member of our chapter, attended the National 
         Convention.  Another of our members, Ms. Pearl Houston, a 
         paratransit driver, died last month.  We gave the family a gift in 
         her memory.  
              Our fundraiser this year will be calendars from the National 
         Office.  It is going along nicely.  Members are learning to work 
         with the Senior Blind.  We were able to provide a telephone for 
         one of our members who is now in a nursing home.  A new member of 
         our chapter, Sonya Kirkland, attended her first State Convention 
         this year.  She is a recent graduate of the Florida School for the 
         Deaf and Blind.       


         From Joe Naulty, President of the Broward Chapter...
              Early in the year, the Broward Chapter had the election of 
         new officers and board members as follows:  Joseph B. Naulty, 
         President; Meridith Plumb, First Vice President; Laurette Bass, 
         Second Vice President; Helene Lowe, Recording Secretary; Laura 
         Landy, Corresponding Secretary; Alvin Cohen, Treasurer; Paula 
         Marchall, Bernard Bernhardt, Howard Sadowsky, James Sayre, and 
         Bill Teague, Board Members.
              Our chapter is steadily growing, with the encouragement of 
         activities such as a skydiving event where Joseph B. Naulty and 
         October Lowe parachuted from an airplane, proving the blind can 
         face challenges as well as anyone.
              On June 4, we had a picnic that brought together the chapters 
         of Greater Miami, Broward, Pompano Beach, and Palm Beach, with 115 
         people attending.  This great event was chaired by Second Vice 
         President Laurette Bass.  She and her committee, which included 
         her husband Joe, Howard Sadowsky, and Howard's brother Louwho 
         served as the cheforganized, arranged, and ran this picnic very 
         successfully.  State President Wayne Davis was among those 
         present.
              Joe Naulty attended the National Convention and helped with 
         the Deaf-Blind Committee Meeting [See "OUTREACH Micros", page 6].
              The weekend of September 17 and 18, we had a table at the 
         Disabilities Expo in Coral Springs, where we handed out 
         literature.
24
              The following weekend, six of our members attended the State 
         Convention in Tampa.  
              On October 1, we had our first meeting at the newly 
         refurbished Fort Lauderdale Lighthouse.   
              Our goals for the future will be fundraising, lectures at 
         schools, increasing the awareness of blindness, and membership 
         drives.  Our next meeting will feature a public speaker from the 
         Social Services Administration.  We hope to have a speaker every 
         month thereafter. 


         From David Evans, President of the Palm Beach Chapter...
              The Palm Beach Chapter hosted the State Convention last year 
         in Boca Raton.  That convention came off very well; we saw the 
         largest atendance202we have ever had at a state convention.  
              The Palm Beach Chapter organized and ran a state-wide raffle 
         to help raise money, not just for the state affiliate, but for the 
         individual chapters.  Palm  Beach sold 2994 tickets and raised 
         over 60 per cent of the money raised.  This was all done by blind 
         members who have learned that, "The boat goes a lot faster and 
         farther when everyone rows." 
              Our efforts over that year won us the "Who's Cooking Award" 
         for 1993.  It was our second year for winning this award, which 
         started out as a joke at the 1992 state convention.  The award was 
         a large frying pan, about 28 inches in diameter, with a handle 
         four feet long.  We were told to bring it to the following year's 
         convention to be passed on to the next outstanding chapter.  I 
         honestly didn't know if we should drag it behind one of the vans 
         or fasten it to the front and use it to deflect bugs, slow 
         Volkswagons, or low-flying UFOs!  
              After winning this award for the second year in a row, we 
         decided to turn it into something of a manageable size.  Our 
         chapter members made a nice wooden cutout of a twelve-inch frying 
         pan and mounted it on a wooden base and fastened brass plates, to 
         be engraved with the names of the chapters that win it from year 
         to year.  We also created a scale for winning the award, so that 
         chapters of any size can have a chance of winning it.  
              Our chapter held elections in December and combined it with a 
25
         Holiday party at the Seafood Connection Restaurant.  David Evans 
         was elected President; Randy Rabiner, Vice President (replacing 
         Anne Huck, who chose not to run); Pam Gregory continues as 
         Recording Secretary; and Donna Evans as Treasurer.  The board 
         members are Jay Naiman, Richard Geinbetti, Jim and Betty English, 
         and Harriett Kantor.
              In February, six of our members made the trek to the 
         Washington Seminar to help represent Florida and the nearly 
         thirteen million blind and visually impaired people in this 
         country.  We made up half of the contingent from the State of 
         Florida.  We have learned that this is one of the most important 
         events we can participate in all year; we have learned that
         togetherwe have the ability to directly and indirectly affect 
         the lives of 44 million disabled people in this country.  The 
         members also learn a great deal about the NFB and come home 
         inspired to infect others with the NFB spirit and philosophy.  
              In March, our beloved Membership Chairperson Sylvia Paradise 
         passed away.  Sylvia, who was nicknamed "Muffin", was honored by a 
         small ceremonial release of balloons.  Two balloons, one in the 
         shape of a silver star and the other in the shape of a golden  
         heart, were attached to a letter to God on the chapter's official 
         letterhead, containing a prayer for Silvia's Spirit and a 
         description on how she came to the NFB and became such a valued 
         member.  When last seen the balloons were climbing rapidly into a 
         beautiful sunset.  Rest in peace, Silvia.
              In April, we staged our third annual Bowl-a-Thon.  It has 
         become one of our primary fundraisers and has been largely 
         responsible for providing the money we have used to pay our bills 
         and support our chapter activities. 
              In July, we sent six members to the National Convention in 
         Detroit, where we spent seven days attending meetings and parties, 
         cruising the exhibit hall, and going on tours. 
              This year our chapter has received several grants, which we 
         have used to obtain various types of necessary equipment, 
         including an IBM computer and printer for the state affiliate.  We 
         have used funds from grants we have received to obtain a Type-N-
         Speak, which will be "loaned" to interested chapter members, so 
         they can try it and see if they want one for themselves.  We have 
26
         accumulated a lot of information about obtaining grants, and we 
         are willing to share it with other chapters and individuals.  I 
         have obtained grants in as little time as fifteen minutes and have 
         filled out paperwork over the phone.  Most grants are more time-
         consuming than that, but once you write your first grant, you've 
         got 90 per cent of the paperwork done for all your future grants.  
         For more information contact:
                David Evans, Fund Raising Chairman 
                National Federation of the Blind of Florida
                19601 Carolina Circle
                Boca Raton, FL  33434 

         
         From Ronald Burns, President of the Pompano Beach Chapter...
              Since our last report, our board has had three resignations 
         and we have elected three new board members.  The new members are: 
         Ustun Atac, a Pompano Beach-area businessman; Bill Doll, a retired 
         businessman; and Audrey Burns, a retiree from Blind Industries and 
         Services of Maryland, and a long time member of the NFB.  Shirley 
         Smart, our chapter secretary, had to move to Palm Beach, where her 
         job was, but we found a young lady who has just learned braille to 
         do the job; her name is Lisa Caulo.
              We have a guest speaker at some of our meetings.  In February, 
         it was Joanne Block from the Talking Book Library.  In March, we 
         had Ed Wasniewski from the Broward Mass Transit Office.  In May, our 
         guest was Tammy Vitulano from Lens Crafters, who spoke about glasses 
         and low vision aids.
              Last year, we mailed about a thousand fundraising letters to 
         area businesses.  Some of those have been coming back, along with 
         checks, so we are trying that again, this year.  We also sold 
         tickets and raffled off an afghan that my wife donated.  The 
         winning ticket was drawn at this year's State Convention.  Bill 
         Doll had the winning ticket, but he generously donated it back to 
         the chapter.  We will sell the afghan, with the proceeds going to 
         our treasury.  We are also selling 1995 calendars from the 
         National Ofice.  We ordered 200 of them and have only 25 or 30 
         left at this time, so this was a good project for us.  Lee Hoult 
         has bought or sold 57 of the calendars, making her the person who 
27
         has sold the most in our chapter.  We also sold two boxes of the 
         Kernel Books that we bought at the National Convention the 
         previous year.  This also put some money into the treasury. 
              Six of our members attended the State Convention in Tampa, 
         including my wife and myself.  We had a great time.  We met a lot 
         of new friends and look forward to seeing them at future 
         conventions, if not before. 
              We have gained six new members since the beginning of the 
         year and hope to add more in the coming year.   
              Unfortunately, we have had a few of our members pass away 
         this year.  They were: Arnold Jacques, who died on April 16; 
         Katherine Nelson's husband Murray, who died on April 16; Ruth 
         Bogner's husband Rubin, who died in June; Peter Randazzo, who died 
         on June 3; and Louis Jason, who died June 10.  We have sent cards 
         to and called their families to help comfort them in their hour of 
         distress. 


           ͻ 
                                                                       
                 If you are blind or visually impaired, or just care   
             about those who are, we invite you to become a member     
             of the National Federation of the Blind of Florida.       
             We have chapters located throughout the state.  Contact   
             President Wayne Davis to see if there is one in your      
             area.  If there is not, consider joining the Florida      
             Affiliate as a member at large.  This can be done by      
             sending $3.00 per year, plus your name, address           
             (including zip code) and telephone number(s), along       
             with the format in which you wish to receive your         
             publications (the Braille Monitor and the OUTREACH)       
             to:                                                       
                  Theresa Schaffer, Treasurer                          
                  National Federation of the Blind of Florida          
                  622 West Williams Street                             
                  Lakeland, FL  33805                                  
                                                                       
           ͼ 
28
         ___________________________________________________________________ 
        
         ASSOCIATES UPDATE                                    Janet Caron 
         ___________________________________________________________________ 

         Janet Caron is Associates Chairperson for the Florida Affiliate. 

              During the 1994 Washington Seminar I was asked by Tom Stevens, 
         National Associates Program Chairman, to speak at the Georgia 
         State Convention, held May 13 to 15 in Atlanta.  Of course, I 
         accepted.
              I was cordially greeted by State President Max Parker and by 
         the President of the host chapter, Wayne High.  Our National 
         Representative, First Vice President Joyce Scanlan, of Minnesota, 
         spoke eloquently of her personal experiences and of national 
         issues.  
              I spoke about the Associates Program for approximately twenty 
         minutes at the Saturday evening Banquet. I mentioned the fact 
         that, although three years ago, when I became Florida Associates 
         Chairperson, Florida was forty-sixth in the nation, this year 
         Florida is ninth position.  I pointed out that Georgia is starting 
         at a higher position than Florida was three years ago, and, 
         therefore, can attain recognition as a driving force merely by 
         supporting this worthwhile goal in a relatively simple way.  
         I issued a challenge to each and every one of the fifty-three 
         persons attending the banquet, for each of them to 
         obtain at least one Associate, thereby boosting their standing 
         dramatically.  I continue to follow their progress in meeting my 
         challenge.  
              As Jim Gashell, our Washington DC Legislative Representative 
         once said, "All of you have at least one family member or one 
         friend to ask to become an Associate.  All right thenif not, you 
         must have at least one enemy to ask!"
              Seriously, the Associates program is one of the easiest ways 
         to support our National Office.  We need not take even a penny 
         from our own pockets.  But we do need to educate people as to the 
         importance of their contributions.  We are giving these people an 
         opportunity to support us in this very worthwhile endeavor.  The 
29
         funds acquired through the Associates Program help to enable the 
         NFB to award over $100,000 annually to twenty-six deserving blind 
         students at our National Convention each year.  And this is only 
         one of the many programs that the Associates Program helps to 
         finance.  
              The next morning, Joyce Scanlan and I attended a board 
         meeting with the new officers who had been elected at the previous 
         afternoon's session.  Savannah was chosen as the site of next 
         year's Georgia State Convention.
              I thank Tom Stevens and President Maurer for giving me the 
         opportunity to speak at the Georgia convention, to try to arouse 
         Georgia's enthusiasm for the Associates Program.  I hope I have 
         made a difference.   

         
        ___________________________________________________________________ 

         IN HARNESS                                      Marion Gwizdala     
         ___________________________________________________________________ 

         Marion Gwizdala is Chairman of our Guide Dog Users Committee. 

              As Floridians from all over the Sunshine State converged on 
         Tampa for the largest gathering of the blind in the State, another 
         superlative was taking place.  The largest assembly of guide dog 
         users and other interested individuals joined together to talk, 
         learn, discuss, and solve pressing issues. I am referring to the 
         meeting of the Guide Dog Users Committee of the National 
         Federation of the Blind of Florida. 
              The packed room was filled with excitement and anticipation.  
         A diverse group had come together for this annual meeting.  One 
         participant was soon to celebrate her thirtieth year as a guide 
         dog user and another was there to find out how she could get her 
         first guide dog. 
              The meeting opened with each of the more than fifty 
         conventioneers introducing themselves.  Not only were guide dog 
         usersand potential guide dog userspresent, but so were 
         representatives from the Center for Urban Transportation Research 
30
         (CUTR), various independent agencies serving the blind, and Jim 
         O'Donnell from Southeastern Guide Dogs, Inc. The CUTR 
         representative was there to talk to us about how transit drivers 
         can best be trained to meet the needs of guide dog users.  When 
         people need information about blindness and related issues, they 
         know right where to goto the National Federation of the Blind. 
              After introductions, Jim O'Donnell, a trainer from 
         Southeastern Guide Dogs, spoke about the school's philosophy and 
         training program.  He talked about one of the most exciting 
         concepts to be employed by any school. Southeastern has joined the 
         progressive schools in forming a Graduate Council.  This Council 
         is made up of Southeastern graduates who advise the school on 
         policy and training matters affecting their consumers.  During the 
         last meeting of the Council, which took place on September 10, 
         1994, the Council asked the school to limit the size of classes to 
         no more than twelve.  Southeastern will maintain its current 
         number of trainers in each class at three with a supervising 
         trainer.  This means that Southeastern's trainer to student ratio 
         will be one to four.  This may be the best ratio of all the 
         residential training facilities. 
              Information about Southeastern's new "Co-ownership Agreement" 
         was also shared with the attendees.  Under this agreement, 
         graduates own their dogs.  Only if there is objective, third party 
         evidence of abuse or neglect can the dog be repossessed by the 
         school.  This has been a policy the Federation has been trying to 
         implement for about two years. (See the Spring, 1994 issue of The 
         OUTREACH.)  Southeastern is making its name as being among the 
         most progressive schools in the country.  We are proud to have 
         such a close working relationship with them and to have them in 
         our State. Keep up the good work!  Jim also let us know that he 
         had brought with him a trained guide dog, so that those interested 
         in experiencing how a guide dog works could don a blindfold and 
         take a "test drive".  At the close of the convention, he told me 
         that several people had taken the walk. 
              Following a question and answer period with Jim O'Donnell, we 
         discussed how the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and 
         Florida State Law affect us as blind people. During this 
         discussion, several participants shared that they had experienced 
31
         access problems with their guide dogs on cruise ships.  This is an 
         issue we have often had difficulty resolving.  This is partly due 
         to the fact that many cruise ships fly foreign flags, dock in 
         foreign ports, or sail outside of Federal jurisdiction.  After a 
         lengthy discussion of the difficulties some had faced, we dis-
         cussed how to start to resolve these issues, once and for all. 
              Each individual interested in assisting in the resolution of 
         this problem is invited to write a letter to a cruise line, 
         requesting, in writing, the policies and procedures of that 
         company's guidelines for equal access of persons with 
         disabilities.  If you find, or feel, that the policy you receive 
         is discriminatory, please send a copy of that policy and procedure 
         to me.  In turn, on behalf of the Federation, I will file a 
         complaint with the U.S. Department of Justice.  This is the 
         Federal body responsible for resolving such issues. 
              With a final note about maintaining control of our dogs and 
         acting responsible in using the dog walk area, the meeting was 
         adjourned.  I am looking forward to next year's meeting already, 
         wherever it may be.  Our Guide Dog Users Committee is growing each 
         year.  As we grow in number, we grow in strength.  Through use of 
         our combined strengths we are making an indelible mark in the 
         affairs of the blind and guide dog users in this state and around 
         the nation. 
              If you have any comments or suggestions for "In Harness", 
         please send them in Braille, print, tape, or ASCII file to: 
                       Marion Gwizdala 
                       820 Valley Hill Dr. 
                       Brandon, FL  33510 
                       (813) 684-8981 

              Did you hear about the dog on crutches who walked into the 
         bar looking for the guy who shot his paw?






32
         ___________________________________________________________________ 

          ALTERNATIVE TECHNIQUES 
         ___________________________________________________________________ 

         We all have some kind of special knowledge, a little collection of 
         neat little tricks that help us do what has to be done or that 
         make life more enjoyable. Send in your techniques for dealing with 
         blindness or with any other situation.  Send us your consumer tips 
         and helpful hints and give us a chance to share them! 

              Recipes in braille will hold up better if you use a plastic 
         page or card.  
         
              It is also helpful, while using a particular recipe, to tape 
         it to the inside of a cupboard door, or in some other way support 
         it, so that it is not lying on the mixing surface. 
         
              Old nylon stockings or pantyhose are great for tying up 
         bundles of cut tree limbs for the trash collector.  

              Put something small but unique on the loop or chain at the  
         handle end of your cane.  This will help you identify it quickly
         if it gets mixed up with other canes of similar type or length 
         say at an NFB convention.  A keychain works fine.  Fuzzy dice 
         would be all right.  But we would advise against the baby shoes. 

         From Janet Caron of Pompano Beach...
              To save money and to recycle, cut off the front of Christmas 
         cards you receive and cut out Christmas post cards to send to 
         friends.  Use 19 cent stamps and save on postage too!

              "Alternative Techniques" would like to recommend the book 
         Care and Feeding of the Long White Cane by Thomas Bickford, 
         published by the NFB and available from the Talking Book Library 
         as RC 37053.  This little book is a wonderful short course on the 
         ins and outs of cane travel and contains a bibliography and a 
         couple of NFB songs! 
33
         __________________________________________________________________ 

         OUT OF CONTEXT
         __________________________________________________________________

         "The man who does not read good books has no advantage over the man 
          who can't read them."   Mark Twain

         "Books are not merely lumps of lifeless paper, but minds alive on 
          the shelves."           Gilbert Highet

              "As wonderful as the information superhighway is, the reality 
          is that blind people are being left in the back seat.  Now more 
          than ever we must ensure access to information in Braille, not 
          exclusively, but always available as a choice"
                                  Dr. Susan J. Spungin, "Braille and 
                                    Beyond", an address delivered at the 
                                    1994 NFB Convention, July 6, 1994

         "Every human being is a new evolutionary moment."
                                  Tom Maddox, Halo, TOR Books  

         "Life is like a box of chocolates; you never know what you're 
          gonna get."            Forrest's mother in Forrest Gump

         "Cut your own wood and it will warm you twice." 
                                  Henry David Thorough

         "[I]t's true that in most creative areas, in order to succeed, 
          you've got to completely invent your job.  You've got to!"
                                  Paul McCartney in Rolling Stone

         "Penetrating so many secrets, we cease to believe in the 
          unknowable.  But there it sits nevertheless, calmly licking 
          its chops."             H. L. Menchin

         "It is better to fail at originality than to succeed at 
          imitation."             Herman Melville 
34
         "We cannot erase the past, the universal belief of a former time 
          (which is even accepted sometimes today) that we who are blind are 
          helpless and inferior.  That incorrect assessment (that claim of 
          mental slavery) is a part of our heritage.  We should not hate it.  
          Rather, we should cherish it, understand it, and learn from it.  
          Let us hug it to our breasts and remember the countless thousands 
          of blind men and women who were destroyed by it.  It will be one 
          of our most powerful teachers and motivators as we come fully to 
          appreciate our own worth and strive for the recognition and 
          acceptance that must and will be ours."  
                                  Marc Maurer 
                                   "Let the Wing of the Butterfly Flap"
                                    1994 NFB Banquet Address

         From Marion Gwizdala of Tampa... 
         "Don't be dismayed at goodbyes. A farewell is necessary before 
          you can meet again.  And meeting again, after  moments or 
          lifetimes, is certain for those who are friends." 
                                  Richard Bach, Illusions, Delacorte

         From Gloria Mills of Tampa... 
         "We can't sit and wait for something to happen."
                                  Sam Elrabi, environmental engineer, 
                                    quoted in Tampa Tribune

         The rest are from Janet Caron of Pompano Beach...
         "Adopt the pace of NatureHer secret is patience."
                                  Ralph Waldo Emerson

         "What the mind of man can conceive and believe, it can achieve."
                                  Jules Verne

         "Peace cannot be kept by force.  It can only be achieved by 
          understanding."         Albert Einstein

         "The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their 
          dreams."                Eleanor Roosevelt 

35
         __________________________________________________________________ 

         SMILES  
         __________________________________________________________________ 

              A man walked into a bar, carrying a dog. 
              "You can't bring that dog in here," said the bartender.
              "But this dog talks," said the man.
              "Sure he does," mocked the bartender.  "Now get it out of here." 
              "Look," said the man, "he really can talk.  If I can prove 
         it, will you let him stay?" 
              "You bet," said the bartender, "and I'll let you drink for free." 
              The man put the dog up on the bar and asked him, "Scruffy, 
         what's the opposite of smooth?" 
              "Rough!" replied the dog, with enthusiasm. 
              "And," asked the man, "what is the top of a house called?"
              "Roof!" announced the dog, tail wagging.
              "And," asked the man, noticing all eyes were on their 
         performance, "who was the greatest baseball player of all time?"
              "Ruth!" was the dog's immediate answer.
              "I've had enough of this," said the angry bartender as he 
         threw man and the dog out into the street.
              The dog looked at the man and asked, "Hank Aaron?"

              A father and son were cleaning out the attic.  The father 
         came across an old world globe, and, thinking this might be a 
         great time to teach the boy something about the sweeping political 
         changes that have taken place in the past decade, showed the globe 
         to his son, saying, "This is the world globe I used when I was 
         your age.  But I'm afraid it is not very accurate, anymore.  Can 
         you tell me why?" 
              The son responded hopefully, "Continental drift?"

           WIFE:  How come you don't play golf with Charlie anymore?
        HUSBAND:  Well, would you play with someone who moves the ball    
                  and changes his score when no one is looking?     
           WIFE:  Certainly not!                                    
        HUSBAND:  Well, neither would Charlie.                      
36
         Overheard in a bar:  "I never drink anything stronger than pop.  
         Of course, my pop never drank anything but whiskey!"

         Did you hear about the sports writer who filled in for the ailing 
         music critic?  His review was short:  "The Philharmonic Orchestra 
         played Brahms, last night.  Brahms lost."

              A woman was surprised to see that the man next to her in the 
         movie theater had brought his shaggy dog in with him.  What was 
         even more amazing was the way the dog seemed to respond to the 
         movie, whimpering during the sad parts, hiding its eyes during the 
         scary scenes, growling at the villains, and wagging his tail at the 
         happy ending.  
              Coming out of the theater she stopped the man and said, "I 
         was really amazed at the way your dog reacted to that movie."
              "Yeah, so was I," said the man.  "He hated the book."
         
              A man and his daughter were walking in the park.
              "Dad," she asked, "what makes the sky blue?"
              "Hmmm," he said thoughtfully.  "I'm afraid I don't know."
              They walked for a bit and she asked, "Well, why is the grass 
         green?"
              "That's a good question," he said rubbing his chin.  "I'm 
         afraid I don't know that one either."
              After awhile she asked, "What makes the wind blow?"
              He looked around and said, "Sorry, I don't know that, either."
              As they were leaving the park she said, "I hope you don't 
         mind all these questions I've been asking you."
              "Well, not at all, darling," he replied.  "If you don't ask 
         questions, how are you ever going to learn anything?"

              Two hikers were being chased by a hungry bear.  One of them 
         kept repeating, "I've gotta keep running...gotta keep running."
              "It's no use," said the other runner, "we can't outrun that 
         bear." 
              "Oh I know that," huffed the first runner.  "I'm not trying 
         to outrun the bear." 
37
         ___________________________________________________________________ 

         EDITORIAL MATTERS                                     Dan Hicks
         ___________________________________________________________________ 
    
              I am not really sure how this happened, but it seems as 
         though this has turned into the "State Convention Issue" of the 
         OUTREACH.  Well, so be it.  I know that most of you out there were 
         unable to attend and the convention-related articles in this issue 
         will help to fill you in on what went on.  And, for those of us that 
         did attend, these articles will be an opportunity to refresh our 
         memories and relive some of those moments.  
              I want to thank everyone who helped produce and distribute 
         this issue, especially Gloria Mills and Wayne and Carmen Davis.  
         Thanks to Jeff and Erlinda Harmon and to Jim and Betty English 
         for mailing.  Thanks to Patti Johnson and Kathy Mills for 
         proofreading. 
              Those of you who receive Reader's Digest, Newsweek, and The 
         Braille Monitor on cassette directly from the producers, please 
         remember that the producers of these magazines do not want the 
         tapes back.  Don't throw them away because we DO want them (to 
         recycle).  Gather them up and send them to the OUTREACH.  You can 
         send them FREE MATTER FOR THE BLIND.  We will thank you by name in 
         our next issue. 
              Thank you to all of you who sent in your used cassettes to 
         recycle into copies of our cassette edition, specifically: Judy 
         Black of Gainesville, M. Eldora Bowers of Fort Lauderdale, Brian 
         Boyd of Winter Garden, Kathryn Burgoyne of Deland, Janet Caron of 
         Pompano Beach, Lola Crawford and Byron Jay and the Polk Chapter, 
         Deana Cross of Lutz, James Evrard of Gainesville, Leona Grahn of 
         Tampa, Leonardo Grieco of Homosassa, Jerry Heichelbeck of Orlando, 
         Sandra Hix of Clearwater, Walter Klavans of Beverly Hills, Betty 
         Levine of Okeechobee, Arthur A. Mascarello of Sanford, and Sherrill 
         O'Brien of Tampa.                          
              We appreciate all your comments and letters as well as articles, 
         jokes, recipes, quotes, and "Alternative Techniques".  Thank you all 
         for reading the OUTREACH and for helping us to change what it means 
         to be blind!  Have a safe and wonderful Holiday Season!

